Nursing Strategies for Success Podcast

In this episode of the Nursing Strategies for Success podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Maria Jasanya MSN, RNC, CNM, CLC, CNE — a nurse midwife, nurse educator, adjunct professor, and freelance writer whose nursing journey started at 15 years old at Clara Barton High School in New York City. Maria's path is a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose, and this conversation did not disappoint.

We unpacked one of the most underrated — and most dangerous — habits in nursing: not asking why.

Maria shared how her curiosity as a new nurse — asking "why do we do it this way?" — sparked her entire nursing education journey and even led to her contributing to policy updates at her hospital. We got real about why nurses hesitate to ask why in the first place: fear of more work, survival mode, being dismissed by leadership, and a culture that still lives by the phrase "this is the way we've always done it." Spoiler alert — that phrase has no place in a profession built on evidence-based practice.

We also got into some hard truths about the current state of nursing education. New grads are entering the workforce without foundational clinical skills, without a clear understanding of their scope of practice, and without anyone drilling into them that a nursing license is borrowed, not owned. The disconnect between academia and the bedside is real, and both Maria and I agree — it starts with collaboration, and it starts with asking why.

From the bedside nurse questioning a medication order to the nurse leader challenging a broken system, the power of why runs through every level of this profession. It protects patients. It opens doors. And it forces the people running these healthcare businesses to be accountable too — because nurses shouldn't be the only ones asking the hard questions.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Asking why is a patient safety issue, a professional development tool, and a career accelerator — all at the same time
• "I'm just following doctor's orders" is not an acceptable mindset for a licensed nurse
• New nurses need to be taught to ask why from day one — in the classroom, in clinicals, and at the bedside
• Healthcare facilities and academic institutions need to be in active conversation — not just for clinical placements, but for curriculum alignment
• If you want better outcomes, better working conditions, and a better career — you have to ask why!

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn

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In this episode of The Nursing Strategies for Success Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Emily Knife, MSN, RN, CYT, CMT for a powerful and forward-thinking conversation about Nursing, growth, and creating meaningful impact in today’s healthcare environment. ✅

Emily shares insight from her professional journey and discusses what it really takes for Nurses to step into higher levels of influence, responsibility, and confidence. We dive into the importance of intentional career development, building credibility, and positioning yourself as a solution-driven leader rather than simply reacting to the daily demands of the system.

One of the strongest themes throughout our conversation is the power of preparation and perspective. Emily emphasizes that Nurses who seek to grow must be willing to expand their skill sets, understand operations beyond the bedside, and communicate their value clearly in rooms where decisions are being made. From leadership development to navigating organizational structures, she offers practical strategies that Nurses at any level can begin applying immediately.

We also discuss the realities of working within complex systems and how shifting your mindset — from overwhelmed to strategic — can open doors to opportunities you may not have considered before. When Nurses strengthen their knowledge, refine their voice, and align themselves with growth opportunities, they don’t just advance their careers — they elevate the profession.

If you are ready to move with intention, grow beyond your current role, and develop strategies that position you for long-term success, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. 🎧

Ways to connect with Emily: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyknife/

Modern Nurse Fest: https://modernnursefest.org/

Nurses for Nurses: https://nursesfornurses.org/ 

Podcast on Friends & Enemas: YouTube Video

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In this episode of The Nursing Strategies for Success Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Jody Long, MSN, MBA, RN, CEN, a Nurse with over 30 years of experience, to have a powerful and honest conversation about what it truly takes for Nurses to earn a seat at the decision-making table.

Throughout our discussion, Jody shared real-world strategies that helped her successfully pivot into roles that expanded her influence, visibility, and impact — including corporate leadership positions, education roles, regulatory work with a State Board of Nursing, and her experience working with a major EHR technology company, PointClickCare.

We talked candidly about the reality many Nurses face: working within broken systems, overly burdened workflows, and environments where control often feels out of reach. Jody emphasized that while we may not always control the system, we can control our strategic career moves. By intentionally stepping into roles that add knowledge, insight, and systems-level perspective, Nurses can position themselves as indispensable voices in healthcare decision-making.

This episode highlights the importance of being strategic, adaptable, and proactive — seeking opportunities that broaden your understanding of operations, policy, education, and technology, while leveraging your clinical expertise to influence meaningful change for patients and nursing teams alike.

If you’re a Nurse at any level who wants to move beyond simply reacting to the system and start shaping it, this conversation is filled with insight, encouragement, and actionable strategies you won’t want to miss. 🎧

Ways to Connect with Jody:

LinkedIn: Jody Long, MSN, MBA, RN, CEN

Resources Shared in this episode: 

KAIZEN Methodology: https://kaizen.com/what-is-kaizen/

LEAN Methodology: https://www.lean.org/explore-lean/what-is-lean/

PointClickCare: https://pointclickcare.com/

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You can't control your staffing ratios. You can't control your coworkers. You can't control the family member who walks in already angry. But you can control how you grow, how you communicate, and how you respond — and that's where your career is actually decided.

In this solo episode, I break down the personal strategies CNAs, LPNs, RNs, and nurse leaders can use right now to build knowledge, sharpen skills, and earn real confidence. We talk communication, teamwork, and professional integrity — plus how to reduce hostile and uncivil interactions with patients, families, and coworkers without letting anyone write a false narrative about you. Then we get practical about using the resources already available to you to build professional credibility that gets you noticed for promotions and offers.

Drawing on the work of Dr. Renee Thompson, Donna Cardillo, and Keith Carlson — this one's about agency. Not waiting. Not hoping. Choosing.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why mandatory in-services are compliance — not professional development — and what real growth looks like
• How to identify your knowledge gaps and close them without waiting on your employer
• Why soft skills are the ceiling most clinically strong nurses hit
• How confidence comes from preparation — not perfection
• A direct, kind, clear approach to communication that prevents most workplace conflict
• How to de-escalate hostile patients and families while protecting your dignity
• Three ways to handle a coworker who undermines you or spreads rumors
• When it's time to stop fixing a broken environment and leave
• How to use tuition reimbursement, mentorship, professional organizations, and networking to level up
• Why you need a running "wins" file before your next review or interview

Episode Timestamps:

• 0:00 — Intro: You have more control than you think
• 1:30 — The reality check: incivility, burnout, and personal agency
• 5:00 — Building knowledge, skills, and confidence
• 9:00 — Communication, teamwork, and professional integrity
• 13:00 — Reducing hostile and uncivil interactions
• 16:30 — Leveraging resources to level up your credibility
• 18:30 — You're in control: the one-week challenge
• 20:00 — Outro

This Week's Challenge:
Pick one thing. One skill to improve. One conversation to have. One resource to explore. One boundary to set. Do it this week — then do it again next week. That's how trajectories change.

Thought Leaders Mentioned:

• Dr. Renee Thompson, Healthy Workforce Institute — healthyworkforceinstitute.com & https://www.linkedin.com/in/rtconnections/
• Donna Cardillo, The Inspiration Nurse — donnacardillo.com & https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnawilkcardillo/
• Keith Carlson, The Nurse Keith Show — nursekeith.com & https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithallancarlson/

Resources Mentioned:

• National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA)
• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• Your specialty nursing organization
• Your employer's tuition reimbursement, mentorship, and leadership development programs

About Your Host:
Damion K. Jenkins, MSN, RN is a nurse educator, NCLEX® prep expert, healthcare organization onboarding & training consultant, and nursing career alignment coach — and the founder of The Nurse Speak. He helps nurses at every level take ownership of their growth, their credibility, and their careers.

Connect:
Ready to stop waiting and start building? Learn more about career coaching at The Nurse Speak — or reach out directly at [email protected].

If this episode hit home, share it with a nurse who needs to hear it. We level up this profession together.

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In episode 7 of season 4 of the Nursing Strategies for Success Podcast, I had the ABSOLUTE PLEASURE of having another amazing conversation with Maggie Ortiz of advocatesfornurses.com - She was a guest on Season 2 - where we discuss just how little education is being done to prepare Nurses for just how serious it can be if Nurses do not effectively leverage their licenses and the regulations that are placed against them to advocate for safe and effective care - despite the pressures of an increasingly difficult healthcare system. This is a CALL TO ACTION for Nursing Programs of Study to really beef up the education that Nurses need to protect their patients/residents, themselves, their licenses and the organizations in which they work! From the CEO all the way down to the CNA - following scope of practice and ensuring that others are doing the same is EVERYONE's Responsibility, and in today's healthcare industry - it's more important than ever! ⚖️

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS EPISODE! 🎧

Ways to connect with Maggie: 

E-Book: Help! I'm a Nurse Being Deposed

Website: https://www.advocatesfornurses.com/

E-Course: Charting to Protect Your Livelihood 

LinkedIn: Maggie Ortiz, MSN, RN

Resource: NCSBN Nursing Scope of Practice Decision-Making Framework PDF

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To every Nurse Leader out there: Are your team members being heard, valued, and invested in - or are they just being managed?🏢

My conversation with Christopher Norman, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, APHN-BC, GNP-BC on episode 6 of season 4 of the Nursing Strategies for Success Podcast digs into what it actually takes to unify nursing teams - and spoiler alert, it starts with nurturing the human beings behind the badges! ✨

Some Food For Thought Before Listening: 

✅ When a patient/resident or family member gets upset - we lay on the customer service and conflict resolution strategies with great effort...

✅ When a patient/resident of family member displays unprofessional, inappropriate or rude behaviors - we understand that they are going through stress and they are having a difficult time coping and we implement therapeutic communication strategies to deescalate tensions...

✅ When a patient/resident or family member makes a complaint or accusation of being mistreated - we send out our best leaders to investigate, mitigate and find resolution immediately...

✅ Despite how difficult it may be to manage the care of our patients/residents and their family members... we always lean into empathy, compassion and a desire to help them through the difficulties they are experiencing...

Are you and your Nursing Team Leaders responding to your colleagues, co-workers and direct care Nursing staff in the same ways....? 🤔

You DO NOT want to miss this episode! 🎧

Connect with Christopher here:

LinkedIn: Christopher Norman, MSN, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, APHN-BC, GNP-BC

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I had the pleasure of speaking with Jasmin Waterman-Parris MS, NPD-BC, RN on the Nursing Strategies for Success Podcast and all I can say is WOW!!! 

What a true inspiration, gift and irreplaceable talent to the Nursing Profession! Jasmin shares some real practical strategies for Nurse Leaders to step up and step into their power to make transformational positive change and influence - and I am so very grateful that she has taken the time to share her wisdom with all of us! You don't want to miss this episode! 🎧✨✅

Ways you can connect with Jasmin:

LinkedIn: Jasmin Waterman-Parris, MS, NPD-BC, RN

Website: https://nurturednovice.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Nurturednovice

Facebook: Nurtured Novice FB Page

Nurtured Novice Conversation Cards: https://nurturednovice.com/shop

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In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Karen O'Donnell, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN where we discussed how limiting beliefs, stressors of traditional nursing roles and always being told "NO" gave fuel to a desire to step into entrepreneurship as a means to gain freedom to create the nursing career that allows for the creativity and flexibility that Karen truly wanted and deserved! ✨

We both agreed that the glass ceiling is very low in traditional institutional nursing roles, so instead of just accepting the status quo - Karen put systems into place and she eventually broke through that glass ceiling and is now helping other nurses reclaim their autonomy to raise the ceiling to new heights through entrepreneurship and emotional freedom techniques (EFT)! 📈

You don't want to miss this episode! 🎧

Ways you can connect with Karen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-o-donnell-2b175458/

Website #1: Caring Nurses Staffing Agency 

Website #2: ImperfectEFT 

YouTube: ImperfectEFT YouTube Channel

TikTok: ImperfectEFT TikTok Page

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In episode 3 of season 4 of the Nursing Strategies for Success Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Julian Moreno MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, CRRN, CDP on episode 3 of season 4 of the Nursing Strategies for Success Podcast where we discussed how diversifying your clinical experience, knowledge and skill can help to improve interdisciplinary communication, collaboration and career satisfaction!

Julian has spent the past 20+ years developing himself as an expert clinician and interdisciplinary advocate to bridge the gap and help others enhance their skill, collaborative effort and improve outcomes across many disciplines in healthcare. By Diversifying his experiences, starting in the military as a medic, and now working as a Master's prepared Registered Nurse, he has leveraged his knowledge and skill to positively impact many, and he is on a mission to continue leveling up to make even more positive impact! You don't want to miss this episode! 🎧

You can connect with Julian here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-moreno-rn-b7041429/

Clarification: I said Nursing has more regulations than "Nuclear Medicine, but I meant to say Nuclear Power'.

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During episode 2 of season 4 of the Nursing Strategies for Success Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kristen Gutierrez, MSN, RN, CNL, CNRN, SCRN - a Nurse Career Coach who specializes in helping Nurse discover their strengths, passion, and purpose so they can find jobs that they love and that they can THRIVE within! 🥰

Even in the face of adversity with personal health challenges that moved Kristen away from her Nurse Manager role - Kristen knew the power of her Nursing experience, knowledge and skill and began a new career journey where she leveraged her talents to help fellow Nurses navigate their career through a personalized 1-to-1 career coaching program! ✨

I am always AMAZED at how much Nurses are making positive impact and change within the profession, and Kristen is no exception! ✅

You don't want to miss this episode! 🎧

If you want to connect with Kristen (which I highly recommend) - you can connect with her in the following ways: 

Website: https://nurse-potential.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmgutierr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurse.potential/

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